Bach Report: The Right to Justice

Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL) welcomes the final report of the Bach Commission on Access to Justice, published today (22 September 2017), as a vital contribution to the public debate about access to justice and legal aid.

The report, titled 'The Right to Justice', calls for a new Right to Justice Act which will codify existing rights and establish a new right for individuals to receive reasonable legal assistance without costs they cannot afford. The report also recommends reform of the financial eligibility and scope rules for legal aid in order to create a simpler, more generous system which will enable many more people to access publicly funded legal help.

YLAL co-chairs Oliver Carter and Katherine Barnes said: "YLAL welcomes 'The Right to Justice' and believes this report by the Bach Commission represents a vital contribution to the public debate about access to justice and legal aid. We believe it could form the blueprint for access to justice policy for decades to come."